Simple Flying - Asia

Vistara To Reportedly Give Pilots And Cabin Crew A Salary Hike

Gaurav Joshi — Thu, 16 Feb 2023 09:21:11 GMT

Days after it was reported that IndiGo is planning to give increments to its pilots, a new report reveals that Vistara will also hike the salaries of its pilots and cabin crew. The airline's finances have improved in the last year, and it also recorded its first profit in history in the previous quarter.

Air Astana Resuming Beijing Route With Airbus A321LRs

Michael Doran — Thu, 16 Feb 2023 08:35:13 GMT

Almost every day, an airline announces launching a new route or restarting a suspended one to China. Yesterday, it was the turn of Kazakhstan's national carrier, Air Astana, which said it would resume services from Astana to Beijing in March.

Cathay Pacific Flies 1 Million Monthly Passengers For The First Time In 3 Years

Gaurav Joshi — Thu, 16 Feb 2023 04:25:16 GMT

Cathay Pacific’s latest figures for January showed a massive increase in passenger numbers compared to the previous year as it continues to rebuild and restore connectivity at the Hong Kong international aviation hub. Cargo saw a slight decline compared to the previous month, but the airline is confident of positive growth in the passenger segment in the coming months.

Was The Air India Deal The Biggest Aircraft Order Of All Time?

Luke Peters — Wed, 15 Feb 2023 15:00:18 GMT

This week's announcement by Air India detailing its massive order for 470 new Boeing and Airbus-built aircraft was valued at $68 billion. But is this the largest order for new commercial aircraft ever, or has there been an even larger order?

Game Over? Hans Airways Deregisters Its Only Airbus A330

Joanna Bailey — Wed, 15 Feb 2023 11:29:20 GMT

It seems the low-cost, long-haul ambitions of Hans Airways have been cut short, as the airline’s one and only Airbus A330 is in the process of being deregistered. Data from the UK’s CAA shows that deregistration was opened on February 3rd, with a review date set for February 24th.

SpiceJet Asked To Pay $32.5 Million In Share Transfer Dispute Case

Gaurav Joshi — Wed, 15 Feb 2023 09:13:43 GMT

Indian low-cost carrier SpiceJet has been asked by India’s Supreme Court to pay ₹2.7 billion ($32.5 million) in the next two weeks to Kalanithi Maran in a share transfer dispute case. The dispute goes back to 2015 when then-promoter Kalanithi Maran agreed to transfer his stockholding to the airline’s co-founder Ajay Singh.

Air India’s Airbus A320neo Fleet Could Be Much Bigger Than Expected

Joanna Bailey — Wed, 15 Feb 2023 07:15:16 GMT

Airbus secured a big win in the Indian market yesterday with Air India’s commitment for a total of 250 airplanes. Within that order was a sizeable demand for the popular A320neo narrowbody family, accounting for 210 airplanes in total. But how will that order be broken down, will the LR and XLR feature, and could the Air India A320neo fleet end up being even bigger than this?

What Air India's Boeing Order Means For The Carrier

Gaurav Joshi — Wed, 15 Feb 2023 05:01:07 GMT

What was long assumed was finally made official by Air India, Boeing, and Airbus. Although Airbus ended up with a larger slice of Air India's massive 470-plane order, Boeing, too, managed to sell its latest generation narrowbodies and widebody planes, including several new 737 MAX aircraft, which will somewhat challenge the A320's dominance in the Indian skies.

Lufthansa Cargo Is Increasing Its China Flight Schedule

Su Wu — Tue, 14 Feb 2023 17:45:16 GMT

Despite the fact that demand remains weak, Lufthansa Cargo is taking a chance on the Chinese economy's recovery and is increasing its freighter capacity to China for the 2023 summer flight schedule. The new schedule will be implemented on March 26th.

Going Long Haul: Starlux Airlines Launches Los Angeles Airbus A350 Ticket Sales

Luke Bodell — Tue, 14 Feb 2023 13:13:14 GMT

Taiwanese carrier Starlux Airlines has put tickets for its upcoming Taipei-Los Angeles route up for sale. The new service, to be operated by the carrier's new Airbus A350-900 fleet featuring four cabin classes, will launch in late April.

33 Years Ago Today: Indian Airlines Flight 605 Crashes In Bangalore

Mark Finlay — Tue, 14 Feb 2023 12:30:16 GMT

Exactly 33 years ago today on February 14, 1990, Indian Airlines Flight 605 crashed onto a golf course while landing at Bangalore. Ninety-two of the 146 passengers and crew onboard were killed in the accident. Indian Airlines Flight 605 was a scheduled domestic passenger flight between Mumbai (Bombay) International Airport (BOM) and Bangalore-Hindustan Airport (BLR)

Virgin Atlantic Is Withdrawing From Pakistan

James Pearson — Tue, 14 Feb 2023 11:00:17 GMT

Virgin Atlantic is ending London Heathrow to Islamabad and Lahore. As its last Manchester-Islamabad flight was in October, it will cease all flying to Pakistan. Until Pakistan International (PIA) returns – using its own metal or more wet-leased aircraft – the changes mean that there will be just one UK-Pakistan route: British Airways between Heathrow and Islamabad. How things have changed.

Vistara Begins Services To Goa’s New Airport

Gaurav Joshi — Tue, 14 Feb 2023 09:12:08 GMT

Vistara has become the latest airline to begin operations in Goa’s new Manohar International Airport (GOX). The full-service carrier now connects the airport with Bengaluru and Mumbai, even as it already flies to Goa’s old airport (GOI) from various destinations. Goa’s new airport began operations in early January and since then, many Indian carriers have started flying there.

IndiGo Pilots To Reportedly Get Increments

Gaurav Joshi — Tue, 14 Feb 2023 06:19:24 GMT

Encouraged by positive quarterly figures, India's largest airline IndiGo is reportedly bringing back pilot increments this year. IndiGo, like all other airlines, took quite a beating during the pandemic, which saw several of its employees dissatisfied over reduced salaries. But the airline has since then restored pilot salaries and will now restore increments in a few weeks.

Air India Resumes Mumbai-JFK Flight After Four Years

Gaurav Joshi — Tue, 14 Feb 2023 04:14:33 GMT

Air India has added another long-haul flight to its network. The carrier resumed its Mumbai-New York JFK service on February 14th as part of its larger global expansion. As the new management focuses on fleet optimization and expansion, the latest service to the US is expected to be one of many to come in the near future.

Boeing Eyes $24 Million Logistics Center In India Ahead Of Major Air India Order

Charlotte Seet — Mon, 13 Feb 2023 17:30:16 GMT

China has been one of the more essential markets within the Asia-Pacific region for several years. But in recent years, another critical market has emerged as India focuses more on its aviation industry. With India expected to become more significant, aircraft manufacturer Boeing has decided to set its root within the country with a new logistics center.

Korean Air-Asiana Merger Could Face Detailed Investigation By The EU

Gaurav Joshi — Mon, 13 Feb 2023 09:04:47 GMT

Questions regarding the acquisition of Asiana Airlines by Korean Air persist for some markets, with a recent report suggesting that the EU could probe the proposed deal further. Several countries have given their approval to the merger, but some key markets, such as the EU, US, UK, and Japan, are still reviewing the deal.

Vietnam Predicts Full COVID Recovery By End Of 2023

Michael Doran — Mon, 13 Feb 2023 08:00:17 GMT

One of the interesting things about airline watching is the reluctance of many carriers to predict when they will fully recover to pre-COVID levels. Given what has happened in the last three years, that's probably hardly surprising, with the industry well aware of how quickly it can be derailed.

Mumbai Airport’s Passenger Footfall Crosses Pre-COVID Levels

Gaurav Joshi — Mon, 13 Feb 2023 06:17:16 GMT

Mumbai airport has been steadily seeing passengers return in healthy numbers and began the year surpassing 2019 levels. The second-busiest airport in India has also become a favorite of many airlines, which have been adding plenty of new flights out of Mumbai, contributing to its overall passenger increase.

VietJet Giving Away Tickets For Melbourne Flights This Week

Michael Doran — Mon, 13 Feb 2023 05:05:17 GMT

In what the airline describes as an "unprecedented attractive promotion," VietJet is offering to carry passengers from Vietnam to Australia for free. There's no escaping taxes and charges, so these still need to be paid, but the ticket price remains at VND0.

IndiGo Will Soon Fly To The Hillside Town Of Dharamshala

Gaurav Joshi — Mon, 13 Feb 2023 04:21:57 GMT

Indian low-cost carrier IndiGo has announced its latest destination. From next month, the airline will fly to the hilly town of Dharamshala, which serves as the winter capital of the state of Himachal Pradesh. A popular tourist destination, Dharamshala can only be served by smaller turboprops, and IndiGo will deploy its ATR aircraft to this airport.

China Says It Is Not Restricting Airlines From Selling Low Fares

Su Wu — Mon, 13 Feb 2023 03:01:17 GMT

It has been reported recently that the State-owned Assets Supervision and Administration Commission (SASAC) of China's State Council has imposed a low-price restriction on seven Chinese state-owned airlines under its jurisdiction, requiring these airlines to not sell tickets at a price lower than 40% of the full price on their major routes with larger market share.

Which Aircraft Types Does Nepal Airlines Fly?

Steven Walker — Mon, 13 Feb 2023 03:01:16 GMT

From its base at Kathmandu’s Tribhuvan International Airport (KTM), Nepal Airlines operates a small but diverse fleet of six aircraft to destinations in nine countries across Asia. The mix of aircraft in the Nepalese flag carrier’s fleet ranges from small turboprops to widebody jets.

IndiGo Airbus A320 Returns To Amritsar Following Engine Shutdown

Giacomo Amati — Sun, 12 Feb 2023 18:40:17 GMT

Take-offs and landings are the most critical phases of a flight, with the aircraft's engines playing a crucial role in ensuring the stability required during the different stages of the climb and descent. Therefore, the last thing pilots wish for their flights is an engine fault during take-off or landing. Nonetheless, on February 5th, pilots of the IndiGo flight 6E 5926 had to put up with the shutdown of one of the engines of their Airbus A320-200 while climbing out of Amritsar.

Tip: Fly Premium Economy On Air India's Boeing 777s For A Nominal Fee

Pranjal Pande — Sun, 12 Feb 2023 14:00:17 GMT

Air India's fleet is currently undergoing a metamorphosis, from a crumbling offering to an order for up to 500 brand-new jets very soon. In between, the carrier has been inducting several leased aircraft, including 11 Boeing 777s to expand long-haul routes to North America. One of the perks of the leased aircraft is the addition of premium economy, but this cabin isn't on sale officially yet, meaning you can still snag it as a regular economy seat by selecting it earlier. Here's our guide on how to get a far more comfortable journey on your next ultra-long-haul flight with Air India.

VietJet Resumes Direct Flights To Hong Kong

Charlotte Seet — Sun, 12 Feb 2023 06:15:16 GMT

After a hiatus of nearly three years, Vietnamese low-cost carrier VietJet resumed operating direct services between Ho Chi Minh City and Hong Kong on February 10th, further strengthening the airline's reconnection to the Asia-Pacific region as more travel restrictions are lifted.

Xiamen Airlines' 1st Airbus A321neo Takes Commercial Flight

Channing Reid — Sun, 12 Feb 2023 05:00:18 GMT

Xiamen Airlines flew the maiden voyage of its Airbus A321neo on Saturday. The flight, which departed at 09:00, flew from Xiamen to Beijing and reportedly was full.

Korean Air Returns To Brisbane Airport In April

Michael Doran — Sun, 12 Feb 2023 04:01:17 GMT

Over the last eighteen months, Asia-Pacific has been singled out as the region holding global aviation back, lagging behind airlines in North and South America and Europe. That is rapidly changing, as the area is headed back to the top of the table and will soon regain its title as the center of global commercial aviation.

Air India Order For 500 Airbus & Boeing Aircraft Reportedly Sealed

Aaron Bailey — Sun, 12 Feb 2023 02:00:17 GMT

Air India has finalized one of the most significant aircraft orders in history. The airline has now agreed to purchase almost 500 new aircraft, including 250 Airbus, divided between 210 single-aisle A320neos and 40 widebody A350s. Boeing's order included 220 aircraft, including 190 narrowbody 737 MAX jets and widebodies, 20 of the 787, and 10 777Xs.

Review: Kuala Lumpur To Denpasar In Business Class On Malaysia Airlines' Boeing 737-800

Justin Hayward — Sat, 11 Feb 2023 21:30:17 GMT

Malaysia Airlines operates a large fleet of Boeing 737-800 aircraft on regional routes. Pre-COVID, I used to fly regularly on regional flights in Asia – largely with oneworld airlines. I was keen to try out Malaysia Airlines once again, flying in business class on the Boeing 737-800. This was a good flight, but unfortunately, the new seats and cabin design seem like a step back.

KLM To Boost China Flight Frequency Next Month

Daniel Martínez Garbuno — Sat, 11 Feb 2023 19:01:17 GMT

The Dutch flag carrier KLM has announced it will add more flights to China beginning on March 26th. Following the easing of COVID-19 restrictions from the Chinese government, many airlines have announced an increase in the capacity and routes offered to this country.

India Drops Pre-Departure Testing Requirement For Several Countries Including China

Charlotte Seet — Sat, 11 Feb 2023 16:30:17 GMT

As infection rates worldwide are steadily dropping, India will be dropping its mandatory pre-departure testing requirements for all passengers coming from or via China, Singapore, Hong Kong, South Korea, Thailand, and Japan. While this is good news, the country continues the random testing conducted on all arriving international passengers.

Indian Authorities Fine AIX Connect Following Improper Pilot Checks

Vyte Klisauskaite — Sat, 11 Feb 2023 14:49:22 GMT

The Indian aviation regulator has issued a fine of Rs 20,00,000 ($245,105) to low-cost carrier AirAsia India (now renamed to AIX Connect) for not meeting pilot training requirements, according to a report by the news agency ANI.

SriLankan Airlines Witnesses Rise In Demand Across Network

Gaurav Joshi — Sat, 11 Feb 2023 04:00:16 GMT

SriLankan Airlines is steadily moving towards post-pandemic passenger recovery, with many of its flights to key markets witnessing impressive occupancy. India remains its number one international market, despite figures still not reaching pre-COVID levels, while Australia has bounced back strongly, surpassing the levels seen in 2019.

Review: Hong Kong To Kuala Lumpur In Business Class On Cathay Pacific's Airbus A330

Justin Hayward — Sat, 11 Feb 2023 00:31:16 GMT

Cathay Pacific operates regional flights using a mixed Airbus narrowbody and widebody fleet. Many short and medium-haul flights on the Airbus A330 and A350 are operated with decent long-haul style business seating. Simple Flying’s Justin Hayward tried this out on an A330-300 flight from Hong Kong to Kuala Lumpur.

The Fleet Of Taiwan's EVA Air In 2023

Jake Hardiman — Fri, 10 Feb 2023 23:30:17 GMT

EVA Air's fleet looks set to undergo something of a transition in the coming years. Indeed, as Simple Flying reported in November, pent-up demand is causing it to consider retiring some of its older narrowbody aircraft, as well as a new widebody order. With this in mind, let's look at how its fleet is set up at the start of 2023.

Singapore Airlines Boosts Cooperation With Vietnam Airlines

Charlotte Seet — Fri, 10 Feb 2023 17:30:17 GMT

After more than two decades of commercial relationships, flag carriers Singapore Airlines and Vietnam Airlines have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to strengthen their cooperation further. Both carriers' Chief Executive Officers signed the MoU on February 10th, during the ongoing Vietnam-Singapore Business Forum 2023 held in Hanoi.

Vistara Will Fly The Airbus A321LR Between Mumbai & Mauritius

James Pearson — Fri, 10 Feb 2023 15:00:17 GMT

Vistara has revealed that it will use the A321LR to Mauritius. While widely anticipated, Mumbai-Mauritius is now bookable and will start in less than two months. Vistara will join Air Mauritius on the 2,905-mile (4,675 km) airport pair. Following Air India ending the route in 2006, Vistara will be the first Indian airline between Mumbai-Mauritius in 17 years, according to Cirium data. The announcement comes as SAS uses the A321LR to relaunch Copenhagen-New York JFK after a 30-plus year absence.

Akasa Air To Place A Larger Aircraft Order By Year End

Gaurav Joshi — Fri, 10 Feb 2023 09:05:17 GMT

There’s still some time before Akasa Air receives all 72 aircraft from its existing order, but the airline is already thinking of its next fleet development phase. In an interview, Akasa’s CEO revealed that another, even larger, airplane order is on the cards before the year ends. The carrier has received five Boeing 737 MAXs from Avolon in the last few weeks and wants to start international flights once it has 20 planes in its fleet.

IndiGo Accidentally Leaves 37 Passenger Bags Behind At Hyderabad Airport

Gaurav Joshi — Fri, 10 Feb 2023 06:22:07 GMT

In a recent mix-up at Hyderabad airport in India, IndiGo forgot to carry the check-in luggage of several passengers on a domestic flight. The airline released a statement confirming the error and said that it is working towards relocating the bags. Airlines all around the world regularly deal with the problem of lost baggage, with passengers now even resorting to technology to track their belongings during air travel.

Air India Flights To North America Affected By Crew Shortages

Gaurav Joshi — Fri, 10 Feb 2023 04:21:18 GMT

Crew shortages have once again impacted Air India flights to the US and Canada. The airline deploys its Boeing 777s to North America and has had to deal with crew shortages for these flights in the past as well. It is already said to be looking for qualified 777 pilots as it ramps up long-haul operations and will need a larger workforce, with more planes arriving in the coming months.

MIAT Mongolian Airlines Moving Closer To Launching US Passenger Flights

Daniel Martínez Garbuno — Thu, 09 Feb 2023 22:00:18 GMT

Mongolia’s flag carrier MIAT Mongolian Airlines seems to be in the process of preparing to launch passenger flights to the United States. This month, the airline filed a document with the Department of Transportation (DOT) to get this service started.

Hong Kong Wants US Travelers Back: Here's How To Win A Free Trip

Steven Walker — Thu, 09 Feb 2023 19:30:15 GMT

Hong Kong has announced it will be giving away 500,000 free flights in an effort to tempt visitors back to the city, after having been all but closed off to tourists for almost three years. The economy class tickets will be offered by three Hong Kong-based airlines – Cathay Pacific, Hong Kong Airlines, and HK Express.

Air India's Huge Airbus Order Is Thought To Be Finalized

Charlotte Seet — Thu, 09 Feb 2023 17:11:11 GMT

After a rather long wait spanning months, Air India is reported to have finally wrapped the ribbons on its massive aircraft order with European manufacturer Airbus. The finalized order will see the Indian flag carrier ordering 250 aircraft, and the deal is expected to be announced next week. With Valentine's Day around the corner, such an announcement could make an ideal gift to Airbus from Air India.

SriLankan Airlines Has Defaulted On Government Bonds Worth $175 Million

Molly Russell — Thu, 09 Feb 2023 12:40:31 GMT

State-owned SriLankan Airlines has found itself back in hot water after defaulting on its $175 million government-guaranteed bond due 2024.

Avion Will Provide 8 Airbus A320 Simulators To India

Pranjal Pande — Thu, 09 Feb 2023 12:33:18 GMT

Avion has secured a deal to provide eight Airbus A320 full flight simulators to upcoming training facility Gen24 Flybiz. Located in Mumbai, the company will add all eight simulators in the next eighteen months in a bid to become a major pilot certification operation. Avion's systems are Level D certified by EASA, the highest rating given to a simulator and indicating the greatest closeness to an actual aircraft.

AirAsia Adding More Aircraft As It Returns China Services

Michael Doran — Thu, 09 Feb 2023 10:51:16 GMT

AirAsia is never out of the news for long, nor is Tony Fernandes, the ebullient founder and CEO of the airline's parent company, Capital A. The CEO is so confident that COVID is but a memory that he told Reuters that AirAsia is planning to lease 15 additional aircraft to meet demand from China.

IndiGo Announces New Flights To The Middle East

Gaurav Joshi — Thu, 09 Feb 2023 04:18:41 GMT

IndiGo continues to capture a larger share of the international market and has announced several new flights to the Middle East. The airline is doubling down on its international offerings and has also revealed more connections to Europe via Istanbul through its partnership with Turkish Airlines.

International Airlines Are Returning To China En Mass

Su Wu — Thu, 09 Feb 2023 02:15:16 GMT

As we head into February 2023, major international airlines are resuming or ramping up their international flights to and from China following a complete relaxation of COVID-related restrictions for international flight operations.

Pegasus Airlines Operates Free Relief Flights To Assist Turkey's Earthquake-Affected Zones

Daniel Martínez Garbuno — Thu, 09 Feb 2023 00:00:16 GMT

The Turkish carrier Pegasus Airlines has announced it is carrying out relief flights to support the earthquake-affected zones throughout Turkey. On February 6, a powerful 7.8 earthquake struck southern and central Turkey and western Syria, which has led to over 12,000 deaths in total.

SWISS Announces Return Of Passenger Services To Shanghai

Daniel Martínez Garbuno — Wed, 08 Feb 2023 22:00:17 GMT

Switzerland’s flag carrier SWISS announced on Tuesday its intention to resume its passenger services between Zurich International Airport (ZRH) and Shanghai Pudong Airport (PVG) starting on March 3.

Hong Kong's Greater Bay Airlines Eyeing 15 Boeing 737 MAX Order

Riley Pickett — Wed, 08 Feb 2023 16:00:17 GMT

Boeing looks set to win a small victory over its long-time rival Airbus by securing an order for 15 Boeing 737 MAXs. The order is rumored to be imminently coming from the Hong Kong air carrier Greater Bay Airlines. While an order for 15 planes is nothing remarkable, it will set Boeing up as a long-term partner with the airline, which will need to order additional aircraft in coming years.

Asia-Pacific Airlines Score Worst On Reporting Sustainability Metrics

Linnea Ahlgren — Wed, 08 Feb 2023 11:16:16 GMT

CAPA, or Center For Asia Pacific Aviation, has compiled a review of how airlines perform on parameters of sustainability. The CAPA-Envest 2022 Airlines Sustainability Benchmarking and Rating Report found that Asia-Pacific carriers, in particular, are lagging behind. This could prove problematic for businesses in a region of the world that is already feeling the effects of climate change all too acutely.

Vistara Could Deploy Its Airbus A321LR To Hong Kong And Mauritius

Gaurav Joshi — Wed, 08 Feb 2023 09:11:41 GMT

India’s full-service airline Vistara is looking to enhance its international presence, with a new report suggesting that it could start flights to Hong Kong and Mauritius. The airline recently welcomed an Airbus A321LR aircraft, and it is being reported that this could be the aircraft of choice for these two destinations.

Why Was The Tupolev Tu-334 A Failure?

Nicole Kylie — Wed, 08 Feb 2023 08:30:16 GMT

The Tupolev Tu-334 was an advanced technology Russian airliner developed to replace the aging Tu-134 and Yak-42 that were in service. During its developmental stages, the aircraft was slated to begin flying in 1995 with Aeroflot, Russia’s flag carrier and one of the oldest active airlines in the world. Unfortunately, the Tu-334 never took off commercially, and the project was eventually scrapped in 2009.

Japan Airlines Launches New Inflight Menu With Daisuke Hayashi

Channing Reid — Wed, 08 Feb 2023 06:30:17 GMT

Japan Airlines (JAL) has introduced a new limited-time exclusive menu on select flights between England and Tokyo. The airline said the food offerings come from a unique collaboration with a ministry within the government of Japan, a foods export promotion council.

Garuda Indonesia Announces New Flight Schedule To Australia

Gaurav Joshi — Wed, 08 Feb 2023 06:19:37 GMT

Passengers planning to travel between Australia and Indonesia can now look forward to more convenient flight times after Garuda Indonesia announced its updated flight schedule. The airline has attempted to provide greater flexibility in timings for flights from Melbourne and Sydney to Jakarta and Bali starting in April.

IndiGo Adds Nasik As Its 77th Domestic Destination

Gaurav Joshi — Wed, 08 Feb 2023 04:18:25 GMT

India’s largest airline IndiGo continues to expand its domestic network and has announced Nasik in West India as its 77th destination. This comes soon after the airline revealed its impressive figures for the last quarter, suggesting a strong business recovery following the pandemic.

China Southern Airlines' Fleet In 2023

Jake Hardiman — Wed, 08 Feb 2023 00:30:16 GMT

Guangzhou-based carrier China Southern Airlines boasts the largest fleet of any Asian operator. It consists of well over 600 aircraft, with the ex-SkyTeam carrier flying models of all shapes and sizes from different manufacturers, but which planes make up this number? Let's take a closer look at the makeup of the fleet.

Air India Express Cuts Dubai Flights From Delhi & Mumbai

James Pearson — Tue, 07 Feb 2023 15:00:17 GMT

Air India Express is one of eight passenger airlines to operate between India and Dubai. It is third by the number of April-June 2023 flights, according to Cirium data, with only Emirates and IndiGo ranking higher. Air India Express will soon end Delhi-Dubai and Mumbai-Dubai, with the core routes to be continued to be served by Air India. The Star Alliance member's lower-cost unit, Air India Express, will introduce 'Old' Goa and Indore, replacing Air India.

Which Airliners Did China Design Before COMAC?

Justin Hayward — Tue, 07 Feb 2023 12:30:15 GMT

Chinese aviation has picked up significantly in recent years with the launch of the regional ARJ21 jet in 2008 and the first flight and entry in service of the larger C919 just in 2022. This new aircraft (and the widebody CR929 under development) start to challenge Airbus and Boeing’s dominance in the market. But they are not the first commercial aircraft built in China.

India's Akasa Air Receives 5 Boeing 737 MAXs From Avolon

Luke Bodell — Tue, 07 Feb 2023 12:01:48 GMT

Akasa Air has taken delivery of five new Boeing 737 MAX aircraft from leasing firm Avolon over the past couple of months. The Indian carrier now operates with 17 737 MAXs and continues to expand its fleet through leasing agreements.

Mitsubishi Discontinues Development Of 'SpaceJet' Regional Airliner

Jake Hardiman — Tue, 07 Feb 2023 10:00:16 GMT

Japanese manufacturer Mitsubishi has officially announced the discontinuation of its 'SpaceJet' regional airliner series. It had hoped to produce twin-engine regional jets similar to those offered by Embraer, but the initiative never reached commercial production. After initially being paused, it has now been terminated.

Six Months In: Akasa Air’s Journey So Far

Gaurav Joshi — Tue, 07 Feb 2023 09:14:54 GMT

Indian low-cost carrier Akasa Air has completed six months of operations today. Launched with a mission to connect India’s smaller towns and cities, the airline now has a presence in all corners of the country. Six months into the business, Akasa’s appetite for expansion has only increased as it continues to scale in terms of fleet and network.

Air India To Take $2.1 Billion Loans From Public Sector Banks

Gaurav Joshi — Tue, 07 Feb 2023 06:06:21 GMT

Air India will reportedly take another short-term loan to refinance its current debt as part of the facility it availed after being taken over by the Tata Group last year. The airline will eventually borrow money in long-term arrangements, but not at least for another year until it finalizes its proposed merger with Vistara.

Boeing Expects To Have A Massive Presence In India In The Future

Gaurav Joshi — Tue, 07 Feb 2023 04:20:27 GMT

Brendan Nelson, President of Boeing International, in a conversation with Indian media, has said that India will feature extensively in its business growth in the coming years. A significant amount of Boeing’s revenue last year came from outside of the US, and Boeing feels that India will increasingly contribute to this going forward.

Feathered Propellers Appears To Be Behind January's Yeti Airlines ATR Crash

Steven Walker — Mon, 06 Feb 2023 19:00:16 GMT

Yeti Airlines flight YT691 crashed while landing in Pokhara, Nepal, on January 15th. Now, just over three weeks on from the tragic crash, data from the aircraft’s flight data recorders and cockpit voice recorders is beginning to shed some more light on what happened.

Philippine Airlines Seeks Fleet Expansion This Year

Joe Kunzler — Mon, 06 Feb 2023 11:46:17 GMT

Philippine Airlines (PAL) is seeking to grow its fleet. The airline just reacquired an Airbus A330 to meet returning demand.

Growing Traffic Prompts Cathay Pacific To Reopen 'The Deck' Lounge In Hong Kong

Jake Hardiman — Mon, 06 Feb 2023 10:00:16 GMT

Cathay Pacific has recently seen its traffic grow due to the relaxation of restrictions regarding travel to its Hong Kong base. It has been able to operate more flights, which, in turn, have carried more passengers. This has led to increasing demand for its lounges, prompting the oneworld carrier to reopen 'The Deck.'

Boeing 767-300 Operated By Russia's Azur Air Rejects Takeoff In Phuket

Pranjal Pande — Mon, 06 Feb 2023 09:47:29 GMT

An Azur Air Boeing 767-300 was forced to reject its takeoff on Sunday after an engine failure. The incident saw the engine catch fire as the plane was on its takeoff roll, but it quickly stopped and returned to the terminal safely. No passengers were injured in the incident and a replacement flight has been planned.

Vistara Fined $84,000 For Missing Flight Target For Northeast India

Gaurav Joshi — Mon, 06 Feb 2023 09:09:15 GMT

India’s full-service airline Vistara has been fined by the aviation regulator for failing to meet the target of its flights operating to the northeastern part of the country. Indian aviation guidelines mandate airlines to operate a certain percentage of their flights to underserved airports. Vistara is said to have fallen short of meeting the target after canceling some flights to the northeast due to poor weather.

IndiGo Refunds Airfare After Flying Passenger To Wrong Destination

Gaurav Joshi — Mon, 06 Feb 2023 06:14:05 GMT

In a bizarre incident, an IndiGo passenger booked to fly to Patna in East India landed on the opposite side of the country after boarding the wrong aircraft. An investigation is ongoing to determine how various pre-boarding checks failed to detect this error. IndiGo, in the meantime, has acknowledged the mistake and reportedly refunded the passenger his airfare for the inconvenience caused.

Air India And AIX Connect Could Make Network Changes To Avoid Competition

Gaurav Joshi — Mon, 06 Feb 2023 04:07:29 GMT

Air India and its wholly-owned subsidiary AIX Connect (former AirAsia India) could make changes to their flight networks to avoid internal competition. The carriers are part of India’s Tata Group and have reportedly decided to give space to each other on certain routes to keep operations profitable.

China's Hainan Airlines Resumes Boeing 737 MAX Flights

Su Wu — Mon, 06 Feb 2023 04:00:16 GMT

On February 1st, one of Hainan Airlines' Boeing 737 MAX took off from Haikou Meilan International Airport (HAK) and landed at Kunming Changshui International Airport (KMG). This makes Hainan Airlines the second Chinese domestic airline, after China Southern Airlines, to resume the Boeing 737 MAX commercial operations.

Qantas Restarts Flights To Hong Kong For The 1st Time in 3 Years

Aaron Bailey — Mon, 06 Feb 2023 02:00:16 GMT

Qantas is back in Hong Kong. After almost three years of absence in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, the flying kangaroo will connect Sydney Kingsford Smith International Airport (SYD) to Hong Kong International Airport (HKG).

Vistara Welcomes India’s 1st Airbus A321LR To Its Fleet

Vyte Klisauskaite — Sun, 05 Feb 2023 17:52:23 GMT

Indian full-service carrier Vistara has become the country’s first airline to take delivery of the Airbus A321 Long Range (LR) aircraft to its fleet. The new plane arrived in Delhi, India, on February 4, 2023.

Where Will Vistara Fly Its New Airbus A321LR?

Pranjal Pande — Sun, 05 Feb 2023 14:27:07 GMT

With a range of 4,000 nautical miles thanks to auxiliary fuel tanks, the A321LR has been popular for long-haul routes that may lower demand or require high frequencies. With that, let's see where Vistara might fly its new fleet of the A321LRs.

Japan Airlines Q3 Revenues Climb But High Fuel Costs Keep Profits Low

Michael Doran — Sun, 05 Feb 2023 08:00:16 GMT

Last Thursday, Japan Airlines announced its consolidated financial results for the third quarter ending December 31st, 2022. While the trend is healthy and revenues are up, high fuel costs have eroded profits and affected the bottom line.

How A Maintenance Error Caused Severe Control Issues Onboard Air Astana Flight 1388 In 2018

Nicole Kylie — Sun, 05 Feb 2023 07:30:17 GMT

On November 11, 2018, Air Astana Flight 1388 was operating a repositioning flight from Lisbon, Portugal, to Almaty, Kazakhstan, when it encountered severe control issues shortly after takeoff. The harrowing 90 minutes ended with an escort by two Portuguese Air Force F-16s that led the Embraer ERJ-190LR to Beja Airbase.

AirAsia X Restarts Direct Flights Between Kuala Lumpur & Busan

Channing Reid — Sun, 05 Feb 2023 07:00:17 GMT

AirAsia X is focusing on expanding its presence further into South Korea as flights connecting Kuala Lumpur and Busan, the largest coastal city in the country, returned on Friday. The airline said the flights provide a boost to tourism.

AirAsia Philippines Opens Narita Route And Offers 60kgs Of Checked Baggage

Michael Doran — Sun, 05 Feb 2023 04:00:16 GMT

Almost everyone who has taken a commercial flight sometimes feels that anxiety as their bag is put on the scales. Thoughts of an unexpected credit card swipe or offering some lame excuse flash through your mind as the numbers appear. If you have, read on about an unheard-of offer from AirAsia Philippines.

20.5 Million Passengers Flown: VietJet Shares 2022 Success Story

Aaron Bailey — Sun, 05 Feb 2023 02:01:16 GMT

Vietnamese low-cost airline VietJet has reported strong results from a rebounding 2022. Last year the airline carried over 20.5 million passengers throughout its network, an increase of 20% compared to pre-pandemic 2019. Domestic passenger demand has remained strong throughout the year, with the airline reporting a 24% increase in the year's final quarter.

AerCap Signs Lease Agreement To Deliver 4 Boeing 777-300ERSFs To Fly Meta

Daniel Martínez Garbuno — Sun, 05 Feb 2023 00:00:15 GMT

This week, aircraft leasing company AerCap announced it had signed lease agreements for four Boeing 777-300ERSF aircraft with Hong Kong-based global air cargo charter company Fly Meta.

Josef Christiaens: The First Pilot To Fly In Singapore

Charlotte Seet — Sat, 04 Feb 2023 19:16:16 GMT

On March 16th, 1911, aviation history was made as the first aircraft departed from the country. This significant event was part of a flight demonstration that occurred during the first-ever aviation meet held in Singapore and would be the building foundations for how the country's aviation industry eventually blossomed into what it is today. But who was the pilot that flew this historic flight?

Japan Airlines To Send The Airbus A350-1000 To JFK Next Winter

Aaron Bailey — Sat, 04 Feb 2023 02:00:16 GMT

Japan Airlines JAL (JL) has confirmed its Northern Hemisphere winter schedule, where it will deploy state-of-the-art Airbus A350-1000 on its route between Tokyo Haneda International Airport (HND) and New York's John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK).

IndiGo Seeks International Partners Following Profit Announcement

Luke Bodell — Fri, 03 Feb 2023 17:22:29 GMT

IndiGo will seek to expand its international network with strategic partnerships following a return to profitability for the Indian carrier. The airline's capacity is up over a quarter from last year and it is already exceeding its pre-COVID international levels.

ANA’s Profits Climb After Strong 2022 Passenger Recovery

Jake Hardiman — Fri, 03 Feb 2023 10:00:16 GMT

After ending 2022 in a strong fashion, All Nippon Airways has announced that it was able to record a net profit ending on December 31st last year. The Japanese airline's load factors also shot up on both an international and a domestic scale in the first three quarters of the 2022/23 financial year. Let's take a closer look at the results.

Emergency Landing: Air India Express Aircraft’s Engine Catches Fire

Gaurav Joshi — Fri, 03 Feb 2023 09:00:15 GMT

An Air India Express plane had to turn back shortly after takeoff this morning because one of its engines caught fire. The Boeing 737 had departed Abu Dhabi International Airport for its flight to India but declared an emergency soon after being airborne. Thankfully, all passengers were reported to be safe.

Korean Air Releases Tentative Q4 Financial Figures

Gaurav Joshi — Fri, 03 Feb 2023 06:00:15 GMT

Korean Air has announced its tentative non-consolidated Q4 results for 2022. The figures highlight predictable trends, such as the rise in passenger traffic and a weakening cargo sector. The carrier’s Q4 year-on-year passenger revenue jumped more than 300% while cargo business went down by more than 25%, affecting the company’s bottom line.

Air India Resumes Non-Stop Service To Milan

Gaurav Joshi — Fri, 03 Feb 2023 04:00:16 GMT

Air India’s non-stop flight to Milan is back on its network map, with the airline resuming the Delhi-Milan service on February 1st. Along with Milan, Air India offered non-stop flights to other European destinations, such as Vienna and Copenhagen, before the pandemic. All of these flights are now coming back as borders open, and Air India finds itself in a strong position fleet-wise.

Flight Review: Asiana Airlines' Airbus A380 To Sydney In Economy Class

Jonathan E. Hendry — Thu, 02 Feb 2023 23:01:15 GMT

For my recent flight to Australia, I was determined to fly the Airbus A380 on a new route option. Having previously flown with both Emirates and Qatar Airways, I looked at Simple Flying's list of the ten carriers flying the super jumbo this year for inspiration.

What Classes Of Travel Does Air India Offer?

Pranjal Pande — Thu, 02 Feb 2023 18:30:16 GMT

For decades now, Air India has stuck to its traditional three-class configuration of economy, business, and first class on its widebodies, along with just the first two on its narrowbodies. However, change is in the air at the flag carrier, so here's a look at the cabins available on Air India now.

British Airways & Virgin Atlantic Return To Mainland China After 3 Year COVID Absence

Riley Pickett — Thu, 02 Feb 2023 16:00:16 GMT

Over the past 48 hours, aviation has seen several critical moments in history, each a reminder that the industry has taken a dramatic turn in a new direction in just a few years. Two days ago, the first of these historic moments came when the final Boeing 747 was delivered to Atlas Air. Another came this morning when British Airways and Virgin Atlantic announced that they would restart services to mainland China following a three-year absence.

The Story Of Japan Airlines' First Scheduled International Flight

Mark Finlay — Thu, 02 Feb 2023 14:30:16 GMT

February 2nd marks the 69th anniversary of Japan Airlines' first international flight. Before we get into that, though, let's first look into the history of Japan Airlines and see how it came to be.

Hong Kong Is Giving Out Half A Million Free Flight Tickets

Pranjal Pande — Thu, 02 Feb 2023 12:30:16 GMT

Hong Kong plans to offer 500,000 free tickets to bring tourists back to the international hub. Cathay Pacific, HK Express, and Hong Kong Airlines will all be handing out the tickets in phases, starting with travelers from Southeast Asia on March 1st. The program doesn't come as a surprise, given the government has been buying tickets during the pandemic to support domestic airlines.

Korean Air Boosts Its Auckland Schedule To Highest Level In Four Years

James Pearson — Thu, 02 Feb 2023 11:00:15 GMT

Korean Air has increased planned Seoul to Auckland flights to five times weekly. They take effect in the northern summer, so winter Down Under. New Zealand's largest city is one of two routes to Australasia for the SkyTeam carrier, joining Sydney. Here is the latest.

India Reduces Aviation Budget But Promises Better Connectivity

Gaurav Joshi — Thu, 02 Feb 2023 09:15:38 GMT

On February 1st, India's Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman presented the Union Budget for the next financial year. For 2023-24, the budget allocated for the aviation sector has reduced sharply, mainly due to reduced liabilities of Air India following its privatization. But the country's regional connectivity scheme's allocation was increased, and Sitharaman announced the revival of more airports for better aviation reach.

Singapore Airlines Rolls Out Free WiFi For Business Class Passengers And PPS Club Members

Steven Walker — Thu, 02 Feb 2023 07:00:16 GMT

Singapore Airlines is already renowned for its exceptional inflight experience, with industry-leading first, business, and economy class products. The carrier is now taking its onboard offering one step further and has become one of the first in the world to roll out complimentary WiFi access across its fleet.

Asia-Pacific Airlines Record Modest 2022 Recovery

Michael Doran — Thu, 02 Feb 2023 05:55:16 GMT

The Association of Asia Pacific Airlines (AAPA) released its 2022 preliminary traffic results on Tuesday, describing the full-year outcome as a "robust recovery." It is true that by the end of the year, international traffic was on the rebound, but when viewed in its entirety, 2022 was a bleak year for airlines in the region.

Chengdu Airlines' ARJ21s Return To China's Northernmost Airport Where It's -50°C

Su Wu — Thu, 02 Feb 2023 05:31:16 GMT

Chengdu Airlines flight EU1895 landed at China's northernmost airport, Mohe Gulian Airport (OHE), at 12:13 AM on January 27th. It was also the first commercial flight after 22 months of expansion and renovation of the airport.